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How to Connect a MIDI Keyboard to a Computer

Last Updated on November 25, 2016

Your complete quick guide to connecting your keyboard. If you are just starting out with your home recording studio set-up, the first thing you may wish to do is find out how to connect a MIDI keyboard or digital piano up to your computer. This will enable you to use any interactive MIDI software products: quickly record virtual instrument tracks; write your own songs and music; learn to play and more.

The MIDI Keyboard is often the heart of a small home recording studio, and the easiest and fastest way to enter bass lines, edit drum tracks, and of course record keyboard tracks.

The quickest and easiest way to connect is using a USB-MIDI interface like one of the high quality branded devices below.

M-Audio USB Midisport Uno MIDI Interface Perfect for connecting a keyboard or controller to your computer with upward mobility – add as many USB Midisport interfaces to your computer as you have USB ports

We advise that you always stick with a well-known brand which is why we recommend any of the above. They all have good manufacturer support, up-to-date drivers and good guarantees in the event of any problems. If you want even more choice, then you can follow this link to find the current top 10 most popular MIDI interfaces.

No MIDI Keyboard Yet?

Although you can get other kinds of MIDI controller, the keyboard is the most popular, widely available, and reasonably priced. If you have not yet got any kind of keyboard, then look first at Getting started – choosing the right keyboard. It will help you decide the best MIDI keyboard for you.

A Step-By-Step Guide on How To Connect Your Piano Or Keyboard

Let’s start with your keyboard or piano. You first need to establish that it has got a means of connecting with your computer. Look to make sure it has a MIDI port. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the protocol for communication between your keyboard and your PC. When you press a key the action is registered by the software you are using through the MIDI link.

Most keyboards and Digital Pianos have MIDI in and out as standard. Look for ports like the one in the image below.

So how do you connect from these ports to your PC? – There are several ways:

MIDI to USB Interfaces

If you have an available USB port, you can use a MIDI to USB Interface . This is the simplest, high speed, no-fuss solution. Ideal if you want to use your laptop. Most USB interfaces are fully Plug-and-Play so will work without any further software configuration – though check the manufacturer’s site as some will have drivers available for advanced usage on certain platforms. If you can, buy a high quality branded one as you will get more support from the manufacturer to help with any setting up and they do work better and last longer. Roland, Alesis and M-Audio all make a USB-MIDI interface and all have excellent documentation and back-up.

Typical USB MIDI setup

MIDI to MIDI

Some soundcards come already equipped with MIDI ports like the ones shown above. If that is the case, all you require is a MIDI Cable 5 pin to 5 pin 3 metre .

USB to USB

Some of the newer keyboards now have a USB MIDI port – all you need is a standard USB cable to connect directly from the keyboard to the USB port of your PC or laptop.

FAQ

Why do MIDI IN jacks connect to MIDI OUT jacks? Surely it makes more sense to connect a MIDI IN jack to a MIDI IN jack. After all, they’re both labeled IN. Same goes for MIDI OUT to MIDI OUT”

The accepted way actually makes a lot of sense. Think about it. You want MIDI data to go out of your controller and in to your sound module. After all, you wouldn’t connect the audio out jack of your sound module to the outputs of your mixer, would you? No, you connect the audio output to an audio (mixer) input. And then you connect the mixer outputs to the inputs of your amplifier. And then you connect the amp’s speaker outputs to the speaker inputs. Same thing with MIDI. Think of MIDI data as “flowing” in the same way that audio signals “flow” through your audio system.

Still Confused? Or Want To Record Audio Tracks?

This is just a quick guide if you simply want to hook up your keyboard to start using MIDI software. If you want a more in-depth set of tutorials, or you want to record the sound of your keyboard then you can either refer to our quick guide on how to record your piano, or see our full length free video course which explains the difference between MIDI and Audio in detail and shows you step-by-step exactly what you need to either record your keyboard or use it as a MIDI controller.

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Comments

Jane i have an Evolution mk 149 midi keyboard with just the out midi port and am using the midi to usb cable to connect it to my laptop on reason software but still its not responding and i have made all settings. Its so frustrating what do i do please?

This is an old keyboard, make sure you have a power supply to it, the USB-MIDI cable will not power it. Make sure you have plugged the correct plug into the port. And try our article on testing a MIDI device for other troubleshooting hints and tips: http://www.musicrepo.com/testing-midi-device/

So i have a program for sound from my Macbook Air… My keyboard has a (usb a female) and a (usb b female)… If i buy one of those would i still need a audio cable connecting my headphone jack to an amp or is that only for when u connect the Macbook air and keyboard with a Usb-midi cable?

It depends whether you want to use your keyboard as a controller or whether you want to record the sound of it. I have created a whole video series on how to connect and record your keyboard, especially look at the first video which explains the difference between MIDI and Audio and see if that helps. http://www.musicrepo.com/keyboard-course-resources/